The World Baseball Softball Confederation has released Playball WBSC, its first-ever baseball gaming app as well as SoftballWBSC, the first-ever mobile game dedicated to softball.
Baseball and softball enthusiasts around the world can now download Playball WBSC and Softball WBSC for free from major online stores, including Apple and Android. Both mobile games allow gamers to select a National Team and compete in WBSC events.
Winners of the tournaments — decided by the user with the highest number of points (each online win generates two points) — are eligible to win prize money before the top-ranked performers will also participate in a final series onsite at a WBSC event.
The list of of online tournaments are the Baseball World Cups for U-12, U-15, U-18 and U-23 as well as the Premier12, plus the U-15, U-18 and Women’s Softball World Cup. The first events — U-12 Baseball World Cup and U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup — start on 1 September and close on 1 October.
Users can practice against the computer for free or play other players around the world in an online game with two points going to the winner. Each user receives two complimentary tickets, which are required to play online games. Every online game played costs one ticket, and users can purchase more tickets at the price of 0.99 USD for two additional tickets.
“The launch of these gaming apps represent a major milestone for the WBSC in its mission to grow baseball and softball globally by making it more appealing and accessible to wider sectors of society, especially young people,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari.
A percentage of the proceeds from the games will also be delivered to the WBSC’s National Federation where the user account of a player is registered.
The WBSC Executive Board approved eSports as a new discipline and virtual version of baseball/softball in December 2020.
In other digital developments, the WBSC and video game giant KONAMI are currently working together on the development of a new baseball video game and new esport international competition.
The International Olympic Committee selected the WBSC and four other major international sports federations to participate in the first-ever Olympic Virtual Series, the first official Olympic event featuring virtual sports.
While the WBSC Virtual Cup is also starting on September 1 and will take place across four countries with the final stage set for November in Korea.
Credit: WSBC